Public Safety graduates earn $57,805 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 28.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Information Security Analyst is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Public Safety is a focused area of study within Criminal Justice. Graduates typically earn around $57,805 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 498 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 8,130 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$39,956
Median Earnings · 4yr
$57,805
Colleges Offering
498
Graduates / Year
8,130
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,350
How Much Do Public Safety Graduates Earn?
Public Safety graduates earn $57,805 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,536 and $76,538. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $39,956 climbs to $57,805 by year four.
$39,956
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$57,805
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$57,446
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Public Safety graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$41,53625th pct.
$57,805Median
$76,53875th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,805 and an estimated $77,400 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.8 years.
Based on outcomes from 203 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 8,130 students who complete Public Safety programs each year, the majority (48%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
48%28%
Bachelor's48%
Master's28%
Associate's12%
What Can You Do With a Public Safety Degree?
Public Safety connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Information Security Analyst leads at $129,180/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
Direct and participate in formal and informal meetings with bank directors, trustees, senior management, counsels, outside accountants, and consultants to gather information and discuss findings.
Recommend actions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, or to protect solvency of institutions.
Prepare reports, exhibits, and other supporting schedules that detail an institution's safety and soundness, compliance with laws and regulations, and recommended solutions to questionable financial conditions.
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as criminal law, defensive policing, and investigation techniques.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Top Colleges for Public Safety
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Public Safety students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Public Safety program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Public Safety shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $57,805 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $39,956 at graduation to $57,805 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +28.5% over the next decade, with Information Security Analyst among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 212,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Public Safety Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Public Safety graduates earn?
Public Safety graduates earn a national median of $57,805 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,536 and $76,538. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Public Safety degree?
One year after graduation, Public Safety degree holders earn a median of $39,956. That climbs to $57,805 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Public Safety degree?
Public Safety degree holders pursue careers including Information Security Analyst, which pays a median of $129,180/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Public Safety program take?
A Public Safety bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Public Safety?
498 colleges and universities in the United States offer Public Safety programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Public Safety degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $57,805 and an average net price of roughly $19,350/yr, a Public Safety degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Public Safety and Criminal Justice?
Public Safety is a focused concentration within the broader Criminal Justice field. The Criminal Justice major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Public Safety-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Public Safety graduates?
Employers hiring Public Safety graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Public Safety graduates?
The job outlook for Public Safety graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +9.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Information Security Analyst is among the strongest-growth roles at +28.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Criminal Justice Programs
Other programs in Criminal Justice. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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